Switch guns throughout the season or stick with one primary firearm? How do you determine which one to take?

Keep'er Movin

Keep'er Movin

Member
During your typical season for pheasants, do you guys tend to hunt with one firearm or do you switch it up throughout the season and hunt with multiple brands/makes/models/gauges? If you do switch it up, has it made a difference in your success rate (birds in the bag, number of cripples, etc.)? How do you determine which gun to take with you?
 
I have been known to switch mid-day. When I make my regular trips to KS and SD, I usually bring three guns and hunt all three, sometimes two in a day. They are three different sizes and gauges. Two of them are SxS, but one is a London built 12ga with straight stock and one is a little CZ 28ga. The third gun is a Browning 16ga OU. My biggest hurdle is when switching to the OU just because of how differently it fits/points vs. the SxS. Once I focus on what I am holding, and realize how differently I need to shoot, I am usually okay. This year I found myself shooting the 28ga and 16ga more, but I love the 12ga and it is my absolute favorite gun I own. That little 28ga is really starting to take over for me...
 
Less switching this season than usual…mostly my benelli 12 gauge ultralight, carried a few 28 gauges as well…did well with my red label 28. Past seasons I jump around between 4-6 doubles, 12,16, 20, 28…mostly S x S’s, some O/U…the one that buggers up my shooting is a beretta AL391 auto 20 gauge…forward safety.,.costs me birds! The doubles are guns I shoot pretty well and the safety’s are uniform. Tend to shoot the auto(s) when I’m with a group, usually trying to put #’s on the board.
 
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I might use 1/2 dozen different guns a season. Depends on weather and many other factors. If it's damp or snowing I'm using my synthetics. If I'm shooting where I know shots are long I'm carrying a 12. If I'm walking long distances, one of the 20's. Most of the time I'm carrying a 20.
 
Back in high school, I shot trap in an Izaak Walton league. I used my 870 20 ga. because it was also my hunting gun, and all I could afford. Of course, with all of the different guns in the club rack, it was only natural to try as many as possible looking for that "perfect" one. One of the best older shooters told me one day to just find one you shoot well, and QUIT looking for something else. Although he drove a Caddy, and shot new AA's, he shot an 870 TB instead of Krieghoff's or Perazzi's, because that was his money gun. While that advise was good both then and now, it is fun to use different guns if you have them. I've learned to take a backup gun on trips because that is smart. As long as the guns used fit properly, and you can shoot them well, go for it. Because, no matter what gun you have in your hand, if you're on you're on, and if you're not, you're not.
 
Keep'er Movin said:
During your typical season for pheasants, do you guys tend to hunt with one firearm or do you switch it up throughout the season and hunt with multiple brands/makes/models/gauges? If you do switch it up, has it made a difference in your success rate (birds in the bag, number of cripples, etc.)? How do you determine which gun to take with you?
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Depends how strong I feel, (i"m old and tired with three knee replacements done already) I switch between a 16 gauge CZ over/under if I feel tired I go with my A5 16 gauge. If I really don't feel like carrying a lot of weight I go with my 20 gauge Franchi Afinitty 3 or my CXS 20 gauge. I only grab my 12 gauges for the duck blinds.
 
Depends on what shotguns my son has left me after his last trip home.

You’ve heard of the Cabela’s gun library ? Well he must think I run a similar enterprise.

I’ve got three or four that have an equal chance of being pulled out of the safe.

When trap season comes around there are several more that make the rotation.
 
McFarmer said:
Depends on what shotguns my son has left me after his last trip home.

You’ve heard of the Cabela’s gun library ? Well he must think I run a similar enterprise.

I’ve got three or four that have an equal chance of being pulled out of the safe.

When trap season comes around there are several more that make the rotation.
Click to expand...
You’re lucky…
 
I’m in Arizona for the winter. Started first 10 days of January hunting quail in Nebraska. I have 2 20’s a 16 and a 28 with me. The only one I’ve used is my new 20 rizzini I had custom built. The other are more like security blankets. Nice to know I have them with me. I keep the shells and cleaning supplies for each gauge in a separate tub in one of the lockable storage bins in the motor home. A couple years ago I was 5 days in South Dakota by myself. I brought 5 different guns with the idea of shooting my limit each day with a different gun. I was able to do that but I remember struggling with the 20 sxs. Been a while since I used it. I ended up giving that gun to my granddaughter. I should probably start looking for a new one.
 
I always shoot my best shooter. And, I bring a back up, that never gets used. Rarely, I'll use the back up the last day of the last trip.
 
I like the old saying. "Beware of the man with one gun, for he probably knows how to use it"

I only own 12 gauges and want to change that this spring. My daughters 20 is in the safe but cut down so I can’t shoot it.

One guy lets me hunt but hates empties if he finds them. When I go to his place I use my Beretta silver pigeon O/U so I don’t lose any spent shells. Sometimes I wish I had that third shot.

Everywhere else it is the Winchester SX4. Nothing fancy but it is reliable and I shoot it well.
 
I only use one shotgun for pheasant hunting (its a 12 gauge Benelli).

I use a 20 gauge for ruffed grouse hunting. But I only do that about once a season.
 
I used to hunt with different guns and gauges daily, mostly SxS's. I even had 3 vests, one for 20, 16, and 12. This year I started with a 20 O/U and after losing several wounded pheasants I switched to a 12 O/U and only lost one after that.
It pains me to admit that I'm getting older and my reflexes have slowed. All of my SxS's have double triggers and my hands have become arthritic and I struggle with the double triggers now, especially if it's cold! I just can't do what I could do 10 years ago and that includes shooting flying!
Unless something changes drastically, I will stick with my 6 pound 12 gauge O/U for next year.
 
When I travel I bring a backup! I had a shotgun fail on a KS trip once and had I not had a spare the trip would have been a bust.
 
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